Why Run With Your Dog?

Personal training for dogs. You’re kidding, right? Actually, no, we’re not. Research suggests up to 40% of our dogs are overweight, and they suffer from the same health complications that overweight people do. Veterinarians (including myself) are becoming more and more concerned about the increase in joint pain, heart disease and other obesity related illnesses in dogs.
Hence, Pooch to 5k. Dogs can’t lift weights, or use the gym. If you’re going to increase their fat burning, you need to increase the intensity of their exercise. This means that a daily stroll just won’t cut it any more, it’s too laid back. The Pooch to 5k program will help you get your dog from doing nothing much to comfortably running 5km, over a period of 12 weeks.
Because you’ll be running with your dog, you’ll also get a great workout three times a week, as you train yourself to run 5km. Why not subscribe to our dog health and fitness newsletter and grab your dog, and you’re ready to go!

Nov

29

Product Review – The Flip Belt

When you go out running, you always need to carry a few things with you. If you take your dog with you, you need even more. Poop bags are an essential, and they can take up a bit of space. Put a small purse, mobile (or cell) phone, car keys, poop bags and a lip balm into a bum bag (or fanny pack as they are called in the US), and the result is an uncomfortable bouncing mass around the waist. For me, that large chunky mass at the front is so annoying, and it’s enough to take the shine off a run.

There’s a new product on the market that can remedy this situation, and I just had to try it out. The FlipBelt is a simple, yet ingenious idea. It’s made from a spandex/lycra blend, and designed to fit comfortably so that it will remain in place around the hips. It’s essentially a tubular belt, with multiple openings along it which enable you to slide your items inside and move them along the tube. This allows you to carry all the necessities and spread them around your middle. I usually have my mobile phone, keys and purse around my back, and the things I need often, such as poop bags and my lip balm, at the front. Because the weight of my bits and pieces is spread evenly around my body, there’s no bounce.

There are other positives about this belt. There are no zippers or Velcro to fiddle with, yet the design keeps your items safe and secure. When you put your items in the Flip Belt, you flip it over and the openings are held snug against your body. I’ve never once felt I was going to drop anything. It can be thrown in the washing machine with your other running gear. Also, if you like to be colour co-ordinated, it’s available in a range of shades that will match any running wardrobe. Alternatively, choose a contrasting colour and it will look like a smart waistband on your pants or shorts. Hey, if you can’t run fast, run fashionable!

Are there any negatives? I haven’t found any. I wear my Flip Belt snugly around my hips and it’s very comfortable. It took me a bit of time to get used to stepping into the belt and pulling it up around my middle, instead of clipping a bum bag around my waist, but that’s not a negative; it also takes me some time to get used to a new style of shorts. The belt is made of a moisture wicking fabric but isn’t moisture resistant. This means that if you put your mobile phone in the Flip Belt, it’s worth putting it into a zip lock bag to protect it from sweat.

I don’t just wear the Flip Belt for running. I’ve also worn it when coaching a school athletics day, and when going to a concert. Anytime you want your hands free and your valuables kept close, the Flip Belt is perfect for the job.

If you’d like to try the Flip Belt, you can purchase from www.flipbelt.com. Use the code Poochto5K and you’ll receive 10% off your order. (This discount code expires 1 month after publication of this post).